Hearing Officer

Metra•Chicago, IL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service. The Labor Relations department is charged with the negotiation and administration of 17 collective bargaining agreements between Metra and its employees represented by 14 unions. These responsibilities include representing Metra in arbitration with respect to minor disputes and the ongoing negotiations meant to reach amicable settlements and thus avoid a major dispute as defined by the Railway Labor Act with each of these unions. This role will facilitate, coordinate, and manage the discipline hearing process, including serving as the Hearing Officer and, when assigned, the Reviewing Officer. The position ensures hearings are fair, impartial, orderly, timely, and conducted in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, labor relations procedures, and due process requirements. A key responsibility is to develop and maintain a complete hearing record that supports informed discipline decisions and any subsequent grievance, arbitration, or adjustment board review.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or in lieu of degree, four (4) years of directly related labor relations, railroad discipline, grievance, investigation, or hearing experience may be considered in lieu of the degree.
Two (2) years of experience conducting or facilitating discipline hearings, workplace investigations, grievance proceedings, or comparable fact-finding proceedings in a railroad or other heavily unionized environment.
Experience interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements and preparing formal notices, findings, reports, or appeal documentation.
Knowledge of principles and practices of labor relations, employee discipline, grievance handling, and contract administration.
Knowledge of Railway Labor Act principles and railroad dispute resolution processes, including the role of arbitration and adjustment board review.
Knowledge of applicable collective bargaining agreements, discipline provisions, contractual timelines, notice requirements, and representation rights.
Knowledge of Fair and impartial hearing standards, due process, evidentiary concepts, witness examination, and development of a complete record.
Knowledge of Railroad operating and safety rules, discipline policies, work practices, and terminology sufficient to understand testimony and evidence.
Ability to act as a fact finder, and manage contentious proceedings with credibility and professionalism.
Ability to work effectively with employees, union representatives, witnesses, managers, legal counsel, court reporters, and labor relations staff.
Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple cases, meet contractual deadlines, and coordinate hearings across multiple locations.
Ability to protect confidential and sensitive information while maintaining accurate, organized, and defensible case records.
Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and prior decisions to specific facts.
Ability to evaluate conflicting testimony and documentary evidence, identify missing information, and ask effective clarifying questions.
Skilled at investigative interviewing, witness questioning, active listening, and hearing or courtroom-style procedure, conflict management, interpersonal communication, facilitation, and maintaining control of difficult proceedings.
Skilled at contract interpretation, grievance analysis, evidence evaluation, research, critical thinking, and sound decision-making that includes clear written and verbal communication, including preparation of notices, findings, reports, correspondence, and appeal documentation.
Skilled at organization, case management, scheduling, documentation, and quality review of transcripts and exhibits.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365, electronic case files, records systems, and computer.
Must be able to operate a vehicle.
Must be willing to travel within Metra’s 6-county region.
Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.
Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.
Some positions require an Enhanced Background Check due to the nature of the role. This may include additional criminal history, employment and education verification, credential validation, and other legally permissible checks. All screenings are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and require candidate authorization.
Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Responsibilities

Prepare for and conduct discipline hearings.
Review charges and hearing notices; confirm contractual timelines, notice, and representation requirements; open and preside over proceedings; maintain order and neutrality; receive testimony and documentary evidence; rule on procedural matters; question witnesses for clarification; permit appropriate examination; and ensure relevant facts are entered into the record.
Serve as Reviewing Officer when assigned. Evaluate the hearing record, testimony, exhibits, applicable labor agreement provisions, policies, rules, and discipline standards; make or recommend well-supported determinations; and prepare clear written findings or decision documentation.
Administer and maintain the hearing process and record. Coordinate hearing dates, locations, participants, court reporters, and postponements; prepare required notices and correspondence; assemble exhibits; verify transcript completeness; maintain confidential case files; and route the completed record to the appropriate decision or appeal authority.
Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment.
Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.